Instruction/ maintenance manual of the product M2N8-VMX Asus
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M o t h e r b o a r d M2N8-VMX.
ii Copyright © 2006 ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. All Rights Reserved. No part of this manual, including the products and software described in it, may be reproduced, transmitted, transcribed, stored in a re.
iii Contents Notices ................................................................................................ vi Safety information ..............................................................................vii M2N8-VMX specications summary .
iv Contents Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS ........................................ 2-2 2.1.1 Creating a bootable oppy disk .............................. 2-2 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash utility ..................................
v Contents Chapter 3: Software support 3.1 Installing an operating system .............................................. 3-2 3.2 Support CD information ........................................................ 3-2 3.2.1 Running the support CD .........
vi Notices Federal Communications Commission Statement This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: • This device may not cause harmful interference, and • This device must accept any interference received including interference that may cause undesired operation.
vii Safety information Electrical safety • To prevent electrical shock hazard, disconnect the power cable from the electrical outlet before relocating the system. • When adding or removing devices to or from the system, ensure that the power cables for the devices are unplugged before the signal cables are connected.
viii About this guide This user guide contains the information you need when installing and conguring the motherboard. How this guide is organized This manual contains the following parts: • Chapter 1: Product introduction This chapter describes the features of the motherboard and the new technology it supports.
ix Conventions used in this guide To make sure that you perform certain tasks properly, take note of the following symbols used throughout this manual. Typography Bold text Indicates a menu or an item to select. Italics Used to emphasize a word or a phrase.
x M2N8-VMX specications summary (continued on the next page) CPU Chipset Front Side Bus Memory Expansion slots Graphics Storage High Denition Audio LAN USB Supports AMD socket AM2 for AMD Athlon.
xi M2N8-VMX specications summary Manageability Special features BIOS features Rear panel Internal Connector Power Requirement Form Factor Support CD ASUS Q-Fan ASUS C.
xii.
1 Product introduction This chapter describes the motherboard features and the new technologies it supports..
1-2 Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.1 Welcome! Thank you for buying an ASUS ® M2N8-VMX motherboard! The motherboard delivers a host of new features and latest technologies, making it another stando.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1-3 NVIDIA ® GeForce™ 6100 GPU and NVIDIA ® nForce™ 405 MCP chipsets The NVIDIA ® GeForce™ 6100 graphics processing unit (GPU) Northbridge supports Microsoft ® DirectX 9.
1-4 Chapter 1: Product introduction Serial ATA 3Gb/s technology The mo the rbo ard su ppo rts next-generation SATA hard drives based on the new SATA 3Gb/s storage specication. The onboard NVIDIA ® nForce 405 MCP southbridge allows RAID 0 and RAID 1 congurations for two SATA connectors.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1-5 1.3.2 Innovative ASUS features ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 Thi s f eat ure al low s y ou to res tor e t he ori gin al BIO S d ata fr om the su ppo rt CD in cas e w hen th e B IOS co des an d d ata ar e c orr upt ed. Th is pro tec tio n eli min ate s t he nee d t o b uy a r epl ace men t BIOS chip.
1-6 Chapter 1: Product introduction Onboard LED The motherboard comes with a standby power LED that lights up to indicate that the system is ON, in sleep mode, or in soft-off mode. This is a reminder that you should shut down the system and unplug the power cable before removing or plugging in any motherboard component.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1-7 1.5.1 Motherboard layout 1.5 Motherboard overview 22.4cm (8.8in) DDR2 DIMM_A1 (64 bit,240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_B1 (64 bit,240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_A2 (64 bit,240-pin module) DDR2 DIMM_B2 (64 bit,240-pin module) EA TXPWR PRI_I DE FLOPP Y Socket M2 CHA_ FAN SA T A1 SA T A2 Nvi dia MCP 61S M2N8-VMX 24.
1-8 Chapter 1: Product introduction M2N8-VMX R Do not overtighten the screws! Doing so can damage the motherboard. 1.5.2 Placement direction When installing the motherboard, make sure that you place it into the chassis in the correct orientation. The edge with external ports goes to the rear part of the chassis as indicated in the image below.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1-9 1.6 Central Processing Unit (CPU) The motherboard comes with a 940-pin AM2 socket designed for the AMD Athlon™ 64 X2/Athlon™ 64/Athlon™ FX/Sempron™ processor. Make sure you use a CPU designed for the AM2 socket. The CPU ts in only one correct orientation.
1-10 Chapter 1: Product introduction 3. Position the CPU above the socket such that the CPU corner with the gold triangle matches the socket corner with a small triangle. 4. Carefully insert the CPU into the socket until it ts in place. The CPU ts only in one correct orientation.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1-11 1.6.2 Installing the heatsink and fan The AMD Athlon™ 64 X2/Athlon™ 64/Athlon™ FX/Sempron™ processor require a specially designed heatsink and fan assembly to ensure optimum thermal condition and performance. Follow these steps to install the CPU heatsink and fan.
1-12 Chapter 1: Product introduction 2. Attach one end of the retention bracket to the retention module base. 3. Align the other end of the retention bracket (near the retention bracket lock) to the retention module base. A clicking sound denotes that the retention bracket is in place.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1-13 1.7.2 Memory configurations You may install 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, and 2 GB unbuffered/ECC or Non- ECC DDR2 DIMMs into the DIMM sockets. 1.7 System memory 1.7.1 Overview The motherboard comes with four Double Data Rate 2 (DDR2) Dual Inline Memory Modules (DIMM) sockets.
1-14 Chapter 1: Product introduction * For dual-channel memory conguration (2), you may: • install identical DIMMs in all four sockets OR • install an identical DIMM pair in DIMM_A1 and DIMM_B1.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1-15 Qualified Vendors Lists (QVL) 512MB Kingston KVR800D2N5/512 Samsung SS K4T51083QC-ZCE7 • • 1G Kingston KVR800D2N5/1G Samsung DS K4T51083QC-ZCE7 • • 1G Kingston KHX6400D2LL/1.
1-16 Chapter 1: Product introduction Side(s): SS - Single-sided DS - Double-sided DIMM support: A - Supports one pair of modules inserted into eithor the blue slots or the black slots as one pair of Dual-channel memory conguration.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1-17 1.7.3 Installing a DIMM 1. Unlock a DIMM socket by pressing the retaining clips outward. 2. Align a DIMM on the socket such that the notch on the DIMM matches the break on the socket. 3. Firmly insert the DIMM into the socket until the retaining clips snap back in place and the DIMM is properly seated.
1-18 Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.8 Expansion slots In the future, you may need to install expansion cards. The following sub-sections describe the slots and the expansion cards that they support. 1.8.1 Installing an expansion card To install an expansion card: 1.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1-19 Standard interrupt assignments IRQ Priority Standard Function 0 1 System Timer 1 2 Keyboard Controller 2 – Re-direct to IRQ#9 3 11 4 12 Communications Port (COM1)* 5 13 IRQ holder.
1 - 2 0 Chapter 1: Product introduction 1.8.3 PCI slots The PCI slots support cards such as a LAN card, SCSI card, USB card, and other cards that comply with PCI specications.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1 - 2 1 1.9 Jumpers 1. Clear RTC RAM (CLRTC) This jumper allows you to clear the Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM in CMOS. You can clear the CMOS memory of date, time, and system setup parameters by erasing the CMOS RTC RAM data.
1 - 2 2 Chapter 1: Product introduction 2. USB device wake-up (3-pin PS2_USB_PWR) This jumper allows you to enable or disable the keyboard wake-up feature. Set this jumper to pins 2-3 (+5VSB) to wake up the computer when you press a key on the keyboard (the default is the Space Bar).
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1 - 2 3 Refer to the audio conguration table for the function of the audio ports in 2, 4, or 6,-channel conguration. 1.10 Connectors 1.10.1 Rear panel connectors 1. PS/2 mouse port (green). This port is for a PS/2 mouse. 2. Parallel port.
1 - 2 4 Chapter 1: Product introduction 7. USB 2.0 ports 3 and 4. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.0 devices. 8. USB 2.0 ports 1 and 2. These two 4-pin Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports are available for connecting USB 2.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1 - 2 5 2. IDE connectors (40-1 pin PRI_IDE) The onboard IDE connectors are for Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable(s). There are three connectors on each Ultra DMA 133/100/66 signal cable: blue, black, and gray.
1 - 2 6 Chapter 1: Product introduction 3. Serial ATA connectors (7-pin SATA1, SATA2) These connectors are for the Serial ATA signal cables for Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s hard disk and optical disk drives. The Serial ATA 3 Gb/s is backward compatible with Serial ATA 1.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1 - 2 7 4. CPU Fan connector (4-pin CPU_FAN) The fa n c onn ect ors su ppo rt coo lin g f ans of 35 0mA ~74 0mA (8 .88W max .) or a t ota l o f 1 A~2 .
1 - 2 8 Chapter 1: Product introduction Never connect a 1394 cable to the USB connectors. Doing so will damage the motherboard! 6. USB connectors (10-1 pin USB56, USB78) These connectors are for USB 2.0 ports. Connect the USB module cable to any of these connectors, then install the module to a slot opening at the back of the system chassis.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1 - 2 9 8. Front panel audio connector (10-1 pin AAFP) This connector is for a chassis-mounted front panel audio I/O module that supports either High Denition Audio or AC`97 audio standard. Connect one end of the front panel audio I/O module cable to this connector.
1 - 3 0 Chapter 1: Product introduction 9. ATX power connectors (24-pin EATXPWR, 4-pin EATX12V) These connectors are for an ATX power supply. The plugs from the power supply are designed to t these connectors in only one orientation. Find the proper orientation and push down rmly until the connectors completely t.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 1 - 3 1 10. System panel connector (20-1 pin PANEL) This connector supports several chassis-mounted functions. • System power LED This 3-pin connector is for the system power LED.
1 - 3 2 Chapter 1: Product introduction.
2 BIOS setup This chapter tells how to change the system settings through the BIOS Setup menus. Detailed descriptions of the BIOS parameters are also provided.
2-2 Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.1 Managing and updating your BIOS The following utilities allow you to manage and update the motherboard Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) setup. 1. ASUS EZ Flash (Updates the BIOS in DOS mode using a oppy disk or the motherboard support CD.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-3 2. Co py the or igi nal or th e l ate st mot her boa rd BIO S le to the bo ota ble o ppy di sk. 2.1.2 ASUS EZ Flash utility The ASUS EZ Flash feature allows you to update the BIOS without having to go through the long process of booting from a oppy disk and using a DOS-based utility.
2-4 Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.1.3 AFUDOS utility The AFUDOS utility allows you to update the BIOS le in DOS environment using a bootable oppy disk with the updated BIOS le. This utility also allows you to copy the current BIOS le that you can use as backup when the BIOS fails or gets corrupted during the updating process.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-5 Updating the BIOS file To update the BIOS le using the AFUDOS utility: 1. Visit the ASUS website (www.asus.com) and download the latest BIOS le for the motherboard. Save the BIOS le to a bootable oppy disk. 2. Copy the AFUDOS utility (afudos.
2-6 Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.1.4 ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 utility The ASUS CrashFree BIOS 2 is an auto recovery tool that allows you to restore the BIOS le when it fails or gets corrupted during the updating process. You can update a corrupted BIOS le using the motherboard support CD or the oppy disk that contains the updated BIOS le.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-7 Recovering the BIOS from the support CD To recover the BIOS from the support CD: 1. Remove any oppy disk from the oppy disk drive, then turn on the system.
2-8 Chapter 2: BIOS setup Installing ASUS Update To install ASUS Update: 1. Place the support CD in the optical drive. The Drivers menu appears. 2. Click the Utilities tab, then click Install ASUS Update. See page 3-3 for the Utilities screen menu. 3.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-9 3. Select the ASUS FTP site nearest you to avoid network trafc, or click Auto Select. Click Next. Updating the BIOS through the Internet To update the BIOS through the Internet: 1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows ® desktop by clicking Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate.
2-10 Chapter 2: BIOS setup Updating the BIOS through a BIOS file To update the BIOS through a BIOS le: 1. Launch the ASUS Update utility from the Windows ® desktop by clicking Start > Programs > ASUS > ASUSUpdate > ASUSUpdate. The ASUS Update main window appears.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2 - 1 1 • The default BIOS settings for this motherboard apply for most conditions to ensure optimum performance. If the system becomes unstable after changing any BIOS settings, load the default settings to ensure system compatibility and stability.
2-12 Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.2.2 Menu bar The menu bar on top of the screen has the following main items: Main For changing the basic system conguration Advanced For changing the advanced system se.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-13 2.2.4 Menu items The highlighted item on the menu bar displays the specic items for that menu. For example, selecting Main shows the Main menu items. The other items (Advanced, Power, Boot, and Exit) on the menu bar have their respective menu items.
2-14 Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.3 Main menu When you enter the BIOS Setup program, the Main menu screen appears, giving you an overview of the basic system information. 2.3.1 System Time [xx:xx:xx] Allows you to set the system time. 2.3.2 System Date [Day xx/xx/xxxx] Allows you to set the system date.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-15 2.3.4 IDE Configuration The items in this menu allow you to set or change the congurations for the IDE devices installed in the system.
2-16 Chapter 2: BIOS setup The BIOS automatically detects the values opposite the dimmed items (Device, Vendor, Size, LBA Mode, Block Mode, PIO Mode, Async DMA, Ultra DMA, and SMART monitoring). These values are not user-congurable. These items show N/A if no IDE device is installed in the system.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-17 2.3.6 SATA1, SATA2 While entering Setup, the BIOS automatically detects the presence of SATA devices. There is a separate sub-menu for each SATA device. Select a device item then press <Enter> to display the SATA device information.
2-18 Chapter 2: BIOS setup PIO Mode [Auto] Selects the PIO mode. Conguration options: [Auto] [0] [1] [2] [3] [4] DMA Mode [Auto] Selects the DMA mode. Conguration options: [Auto] SMART Monitoring [Auto] Sets the Smart Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-19 2.4 Advanced menu The Advanced menu items allow you to change the settings for the CPU and other system devices. Take caution when changing the settings of the Advanced menu items. Incorrect eld values can cause the system to malfunction.
2-20 Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.4.2 CPU Configuration The items in this menu show the CPU-related information that the BIOS automatically detects. Unlock locked CPU and let it run at lower multiplier setting. CPU Conguration Module Version: 13.05 AGESA Version: 02.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-21 AMD Overclocking Conguration Processor Frequency Multiplier [Auto] Processor Voltage [Auto] AMD Overclocking Configuration Processor Frequency Multiplier [Auto] Sets the processor frenquency multiplier. Conguration options: [Auto] [x5.
2-22 Chapter 2: BIOS setup Memclock Mode [Auto] Select the DRAM Frequency programming method. If Auto, the DRAM speed will be based on SPDs. If Limit, the DRAM speed will not exceed the specied value. If Manual, the DRAM specied will be programmed regardless.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-23 ECC Conguration DRAM ECC Enable [Enabled] 4-Bit ECC Mode [ Disabled ] DRAM SCRUB REDIRECT [ Disabled ] DRAM BG Scrub [Disabled] L2 Cache BG Scrub [Disabled] Data Cache BG Scrub [.
2-24 Chapter 2: BIOS setup SouthBridge MCP61 chipset Conguration Primary Graphics Adapter [PCIE-> PCI -> IGP] OnChip VGA Frame Buffer Size [128MB] AZALIA Audio [Auto] OnBoard LAN [Enabled] OnBoard LAN Boot ROM [Disabled] Primary Graphics Adapter [PCIE-> PCI -> IGP] Display Device Priority, from high to low.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-25 Hyper Transport MCP61 Conguration MCP61(SB) to K8(CPU) Freq Auto [Disabled] MCP61(SB) to K8(CPU) Frequency [1000 MHz] MCP61(SB) to K8(CPU) Linkwidth [16 16] Hyper T ransport Configuration 2.
2-26 Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.4.5 PCI PnP The PCI PnP menu items allow you to change the advanced settings for PCI/PnP devices. The menu includes setting IRQ and DMA channel resources for either PCI/PnP or legacy ISA devices, and setting the memory size block for legacy ISA devices.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-27 USB 1.1 Controller [Enabled] Allows you to enable or disable the USB 1.1 Controller. Conguration options: [Enabled] [Disabled] USB 2.
2-28 Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.5 Power menu The Power menu items allow you to change the settings for the Advanced Power Management (APM). Select an item then press <Enter> to display the conguration options.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-29 2.5.4 APM Configuration APM Conguration Power Button Mode [On/Off] Restore on AC Power Loss [Power Off] Power On By PCI Device [Disabled] Power On By Ring [Disabled] Power On By PS/2 KB/MS [Disabled] Power On By RTC Alarm [Disabled] Power Button Mode [On/Off] Go into On/Off or Suspend when Power button is pressed.
2-30 Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.5.5 Hardware Monitor Hardware Monitor CPU Temperature [40ºC/104ºF] MB Temperature [34ºC/93ºF] CPU Fan Speed (RPM) [3308RPM] Chassis Fan Speed [N/A] VCORE Voltage [ 1.392V] 3.3V Voltage [ 3.312V] 5V Voltage [ 4.945V] 12V Voltage [12.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-31 2.6 Boot menu The Boot menu items allow you to change the system boot options. Select an item then press <Enter> to display the sub-menu. Boot settings Boot Device Priority Removable Drives Boot Settings Conguration Security 2.
2-32 Chapter 2: BIOS setup 2.6.3 Boot Settings Configuration Select Screen Select Item +- Change Option F1 General Help F10 Save and Exit ESC Exit Boot Settings Conguration Quick Boot [Enabled] Ful.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-33 If you forget your BIOS password, you can clear clear it by erasing the CMOS Real Time Clock (RTC) RAM. See section “2.6 Jumpers” for information on how to erase the RTC RAM. Hit ‘DEL’ Message Display [Enabled] When set to Enabled, the system displays the message “Press DEL to run Setup” during POST.
2-34 Chapter 2: BIOS setup After you have set a supervisor password, the other items appear to allow you to change other security settings. User Access Level [Full Access] This item allows you to select the access restriction to the Setup items.
ASUS M2N8-VMX 2-35 Password Check [Setup] When set to [Setup], BIOS checks for user password when accessing the Setup utility. When set to [Always], BIOS checks for user password both when accessing Setup and booting the system.
2-36 Chapter 2: BIOS setup Exit & Discard Changes Select this option only if you do not want to save the changes that you made to the Setup program. If you made changes to elds other than System Date, System Time, and Password, the BIOS asks for a conrmation before exiting.
3 Software support This chapter describes the contents of the support CD that comes with the motherboard package..
3-2 Chapter 3: Software support If Autorun is NOT enabled in your computer, browse the contents of the support CD to locate the le ASSETUP.EXE from the BIN folder. Double- click the ASSETUP.EXE to run the CD. Click an item to install 3.1 Installing an operating system This motherboard supports Windows ® 2000/XP operating systems (OS).
3 - 3 ASUS M2N8-VMX 3.2.2 Drivers menu The drivers menu shows the available device drivers if the system detects installed devices. Install the necessary drivers to activate the devices. NVIDIA Chipset Driver Program Installs the NVIDIA ® nForce™ Chipset Driver program.
3-4 Chapter 3: Software support 3.2.3 Utilities menu The Utilities menu shows the applications and other software that the motherboard supports. ASUS PC Probe II This smart utility monitors the fan speed, CPU temperature, and system voltages, and alerts you of any detected problems.
3 - 5 ASUS M2N8-VMX 3.2.4 Make Disk menu The Make Disk menu allows you to make a RAID driver disk. ASUS Cool ‘n’ Quiet Utility This item installs the ASUS Cool ‘n’ Quiet utility. Anti-Virus utility The anti-virus utility scans, identies, and removes computer viruses.
3-6 Chapter 3: Software support NVIDIA ® SATA RAID User’s Manual Allows you to open the NVIDIA ® SATA RAID user’s manual. 3.2.5 Manual menu The Manual menu contains a list of supplementary user manuals. Click an item to open the folder of the user manual.
3 - 7 ASUS M2N8-VMX 3.2.6 ASUS Contact information Click the Contact tab to display the ASUS contact information. You can also nd this information on the inside front cover of this user guide. 3.2.7 Other information The icons on the top right corner of the screen give additional information on the motherboard and the contents of the support CD.
3-8 Chapter 3: Software support Technical support Form Displays the ASUS Technical Support Request Form that you have to ll out when requesting technical support. Filelist Displays the contents of the support CD and a brief description of each in text format.
3 - 9 ASUS M2N8-VMX 3.3 Creating a RAID driver disk A oppy disk with the RAID driver is required when installing Windows ® 2000/XP operating system on a hard disk drive that is included in a RAID set. To create a RAID driver disk: 1. Place the motherboard support CD into the CD-ROM drive.
3-10 Chapter 3: Software support.
An important point after buying a device Asus M2N8-VMX (or even before the purchase) is to read its user manual. We should do this for several simple reasons:
If you have not bought Asus M2N8-VMX yet, this is a good time to familiarize yourself with the basic data on the product. First of all view first pages of the manual, you can find above. You should find there the most important technical data Asus M2N8-VMX - thus you can check whether the hardware meets your expectations. When delving into next pages of the user manual, Asus M2N8-VMX you will learn all the available features of the product, as well as information on its operation. The information that you get Asus M2N8-VMX will certainly help you make a decision on the purchase.
If you already are a holder of Asus M2N8-VMX, but have not read the manual yet, you should do it for the reasons described above. You will learn then if you properly used the available features, and whether you have not made any mistakes, which can shorten the lifetime Asus M2N8-VMX.
However, one of the most important roles played by the user manual is to help in solving problems with Asus M2N8-VMX. Almost always you will find there Troubleshooting, which are the most frequently occurring failures and malfunctions of the device Asus M2N8-VMX along with tips on how to solve them. Even if you fail to solve the problem, the manual will show you a further procedure – contact to the customer service center or the nearest service center
